Sharp-dressed men? Sherman aims for it to translate

COLLEGE STATION — In a break from the recent past, Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman had his players don coats and ties for their mug shots on the AggieAthletics.com Web site this season.

“They look sharp,” Sherman said after Thursday morning’s practice. “They represent our university — a great university — and it’s imperative that they look a certain way, act a certain way and play football a certain way.”

Take a look at defensive lineman Rod Davis, for instance, to the right. Sharp, right?

“It all goes back to what we expect of these guys,” Sherman said. “We expect them to be first-class citizens. And if you want them to be that, they need to look that, as well.”

Gone are the maroon knit shirts with the oft-mussed collars. Instead, the fellows look like they’re heading for a wedding.

“I’m a firm believer in how you look helps you develop an attitude of what you’re all about,” Sherman said.

Notes from Thursday’s practice: Running back Cyrus Gray sat out Thursday morning as a precautionary measure with a tweaked hamstring. Receiver Jeff Fuller tweaked his hamstring halfway through practice and sat out the rest of the way. Neither injury is considered serious. Gray and Fuller are perhaps the offense’s two most potent weapons, so it’s imperative for the Aggies that they’re healthy headed into the season.

• Times for practice, open to A&M students, staff and former students, the rest of this week: